Assembly Finance Committee Examines Social Economy

Session: 2009/2010

Date: 14 October 2009

Reference: F&P 01/09/10

Social economy initiatives have a vital role to play in building sustainable communities. That’s the message from the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Finance and Personnel Committee as they visit Bryson Recycling as part of their ongoing inquiry into public procurement policy and practice in Northern Ireland.

The visit to the recycling facility at Mallusk is to take place after a visit by the Committee to Bryson House where the Committee will be holding one of its regular meetings. Members of the Committee will take evidence from the Social Economy Network and Bryson representatives on the experience of Social Economy Enterprises in the public procurement process.

Committee Chairperson, Jennifer McCann, MLA said, ‘The Committee is pleased to have an opportunity to focus on the social economy during the meeting and visit to Bryson Recycling.

“Organisations such as these have a vital role to play in building sustainable communities economically, socially and environmentally. This is why the Committee is using its ongoing inquiry to actively consider ways of improving access for Social Economy Enterprises, such as this one, to public procurement opportunities.”